SS#137 – Fairy Tales Are True (with Vigen Guroian!!)

"The Brothers Karamasov is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, is social and spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point in Russian culture.

This award-winning translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky remains true to the verbal
inventiveness of Dostoevsky’s prose, preserving the multiple voices, the humor, and the surprising modernity of the original. It is an achievement worthy of Dostoevsky’s last and greatest novel."

The definitive translation of Plato's Republic, the most influential text in the history of Western philosophy

Long regarded as the most accurate rendering of Plato's Republic that has yet been published, this widely acclaimed translation by Allan Bloom was the first to take a strictly literal approach. In addition to the annotated text, there is also a rich and valuable essay -- as well as indices -- which will enable readers to better understand the heart of Plato's intention.

First published on 19 December 1843 and written at a time of decline in festive tradition, A Christmas Carol became an instant classic. While the character of Ebenezer Scrooge has become the epitome of miserliness, his story of redemption reinforces expectations for Christmas Day as a time of peace and goodwill to all men.

This beautiful hardback edition makes a wonderful seasonal gift that the whole family can enjoy.

“BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE 20^TH CENTURY” —Time

Volume 1 of the gripping epic masterpiece, Solzhenitsyn's chilling report of his arrest and interrogation, which exposed to the world the vast bureaucracy of secret police that haunted Soviet society. Features a new foreword by Anne Applebaum.

“The greatest and most powerful single indictment of a political regime ever leveled in modern times.” —George F. Kennan

“It is impossible to name a book that had a greater effect on the political and moral consciousness of the late twentieth century.” —David Remnick, The New Yorker

“Solzhenitsyn’s masterpiece. ... The Gulag Archipelago helped create the world we live in today.” —Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gulag: A History, from the foreword

In this stirring and true story, Gunther, a handicapped and neglected child born in Germany during World War I, finds a new home at Bethel, a Christian community for the physically and mentally impaired. At Bethel, Gunther learns to speak and sing, walk and work, and pray and praise. He experiences both the joy of making friends for the first time and the sorrow of having to say goodbye. Through the care of pastors, deaconesses, and teachers, Gunther finds meaning and purpose in music, thanksgiving, and the everyday exercise of a life lived well, no matter the limitations.

The love and security of Bethel is threatened, however, by the Nazi regime as it targets the vulnerable. Can its 2,000 residents be saved?

The Pax Romana has long been shorthand for the empire’s golden age. Stretching from Caledonia to Arabia, Rome ruled over a quarter of the world’s population. It was the wealthiest and most formidable state in the history of humankind.

Pax is a captivating narrative history of Rome at the height of its power. From the gilded capital to realms beyond the frontier, historian Tom Holland shows ancient Rome in all its glory: Nero’s downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem and Pompeii, the building of the Colosseum and Hadrian’s Wall, the conquests of Trajan. Vividly sketching the lives of Romans both ordinary and spectacular, from slaves to emperors, Holland shows that Roman peace was the fruit of unprecedented military violence.

A stunning portrait of Rome’s glory days, this is the epic history of the Pax Romana.

King of the Golden River is, in equal parts, a fairy tale, a fable, an origin myth, and a parable. A lovely story about the power of love and kindness it is sure to delight readers of all ages.

This edition is complete and unabridged featuring all of the original illustrations from two printings, and selections from several others.

For over 150 years, the childlike of all ages have delighted in this classic story by George MacDonald (1824-1905), the grandfather of modern fantasy fiction. He was revered by G.K. Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien in the last century, and by Andrew Peterson, author of The Wingfeather Saga, in our own--to name just a few of many! MacDonald was the single greatest influence on C.S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia), who wrote "I have never concealed the fact that I regarded him as my master; indeed, I fancy I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him." Indeed, The Lost Princess-or-The Wise Woman was one of Lewis’ very favorite books.

This edition of The Lost Princess-or-The Wise Woman is based on a wonderful version published in 1895, with twenty-two illustrations by artist and sculptor A.G. Walker, all of which have been faithfully reproduced. To the contents of the original we have added a preface by Christopher MacDonald, the author's great-great-grandson; an introduction by George MacDonald himself—his timeless essay on the mythmaking art, “The Fantastic Imagination”—and the author’s eerily atmospheric short story, “The Gray Wolf.”

At her death in 1964 Flannery o'Connor left behind a body of unpublished essays and lectures, as well as a number of critical articles that appeared in scattered publications during her lifetime. Mystery and Manners presents selections from these two categories of her occasional prose, and is thus the first book of non fiction by Flannery O'connor. The contents were selected and edited by Sally and Robert Fitzgerald, whose lifelong friendship with the author originated at the satart of her literary career.

Who is she?

A dying king makes his son his heir--on one condition. Vain Prince Raphael must marry a woman who is his equal in beauty, intelligence, and wealth...

Where is this woman?

A search throughout the kingdom proves fruitless. Then the lovely Rosamund appears at the palace, as if by magic, and Raphael is certain he has found his wife. She is intelligent and wealthy, as well as beautiful--certainly his equal, he thinks.

But what does the mysterious Rosamund think?

Two-time Newbery Medalist Katherine Patersons critically-acclaimed original fairy tale about an arrogant prince and his search for a bride is now available in a reformatted chapter book edition. With beautiful new line art by Curtis Woodbridge, this provocative story with a contemporary social message (The New York Times Book Review) will become an instant classic for newly independent readers. An entertaining and enchanting story.

From Pinocchio to The Chronicles of Narnia to Charlotte's Web, classic children's tales have shaped generations of young people. In recent years, homeschoolers and new classical schools have put these masterpieces of children's literature at the center of their curricula. And these stories continue to be embraced by parents, students, and educators alike.

In Tending the Heart of Virtue, Vigen Guroian illuminates the power of classic tales and their impact on the moral imagination. He demonstrates how these stories teach the virtues through vivid depictions of the struggle between good and evil, while he also unveils components of the good, the true, and the beautiful in plot and character. With clarity and elegance, Guroian reads deeply into the classic stories. He demonstrates how these stories challenge and enliven the moral imaginations of children. And he shows the reader how to get "inside" of classic stories and communicate their lessons to the child.